UMaine and state partner to deliver high-speed internet for kids' classrooms
Courtesy / Networkmaine
Remote learning and hybrid schedules are driving the need for additional bandwidth at schools, especially at the elementary level. The University of Maine System unit Networkmaine is offering upgrades, scheduled for completion by April 2021.
Networkmaine, a technology arm of the University of Maine System, on Wednesday announced a partnership with the Maine Department of Education to upgrade internet connections in the state's classrooms from pre-K to grade 12.
The Maine School and Library Network initiative, called the MSLN Gigabit Upgrade, responds to a growing need, exposed by the pandemic, to improve broadband connectivity for remote learning, according to a news release.
“COVID’s effects on our education systems in Maine and throughout the country are well-documented,” said Jeff Letourneau, executive director of Networkmaine. “Many schools in our state have been connected at 100 Mbps [megabits per second] or lower as their previous use of the internet didn't demand any more than that amount.”
Networkmaine is responsible for the design and operation of Maine’s research and education network that delivers high-speed internet and technology services to support education, research, public service, government and economic development throughout the state.
Internet connections at an estimated 301 schools have or will receive upgrades as part of the project.
In Maine schools, remote and hybrid learning models are driving the need for additional bandwidth especially at the elementary level. In order to implement safety requirements that have proven to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID-19, many school districts are using some form of hybrid learning where half of the student body is in the classroom and the other half participate remotely.
“The heavy usage of video conferencing has dramatically increased bandwidth consumption at schools, necessitating the upgrades to gigabit speeds,” said Letourneau.
Limited bandwidth has been an educational barrier during the pandemic, said Beth Lambert, director of innovative teaching and learning at the Maine Department of Education.
“Since early on in this pandemic student connectivity has been a top priority,” said Lambert. “Maine’s teachers and administrators have been working tirelessly to adapt and, in many cases, learn new skills in order to teach their students during this disruption.”
Through Maine’s research and education network, Networkmaine provides internet access, email, web hosting and other technology services to almost 1,000 pre-K-12 schools and libraries across Maine. The MSLN Gigabit Upgrade project started in November, and to date there are 112 upgrades complete. All upgrades to schools are scheduled for completion by April 2021.
"NetworkMaine does a fantastic job supporting internet access for Maine's schools," said Vince Vanier, technology coordinator for the Madawaska School Department. "We would be in a world of hurt without it."
Networkmaine was able to leverage funding through a Federal Communications Commission program, commonly known as the E-Rate Program, that helps schools and libraries obtain affordable broadband. The commission made additional E-Rate funding available in September in response to the pandemic.
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